Dexter, a Labrador Retriever, sits next to her handler, Chris Burr, and his family at the Nevada Task Force 1 headquarters on Thursday, November, 29, 2018. Dexter was one of four dogs trained in human remains detection who returned to the Las Vegas Valley on Thursday after being deployed to the Paradise wildfire in California last week. (Katelyn Newberg/ Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Kya, a Belgian Malinois, sits at the feet of her handler, John Bernstein, at the Nevada Task 1 headquarters on Thursday, November 29, 2018. Kya was one of four dogs trained in human remains detection who returned to the Las Vegas Valley on Thursday after being deployed to the Paradise wildfire in California last week. (Katelyn Newberg/ Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Dexter, a Labrador Retriever, waits for a treat at the Nevada Task Force 1 headquarters on Thursday, November, 29, 2018. Dexter was one of four dogs trained in human remains detection who returned to the Las Vegas Valley on Thursday after being deployed to the Paradise wildfire in California last week. (Katelyn Newberg/ Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Kya, a Belgian Malinois poses for a photo at the Nevada Task One headquarters on Thursday, November 29, 2018. Kya was one of four dogs trained in human remains detection who returned to the Las Vegas Valley on Thursday after being deployed to the Paradise wildfire in California last week. (Katelyn Newberg/ Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Kya, a Belgian Malinois, jumps on her handler, John Bernstein, at the Nevada Task 1 headquarters on Thursday, November 29, 2018. Kya was one of four dogs trained in human remains detection who returned to the Las Vegas Valley on Thursday after being deployed to the Paradise wildfire in California last week. (Katelyn Newberg/ Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Nevada welcomed home emergency service workers sent to aid California officials battling the state’s deadliest wildfire, including four searchers with wet noses and wagging tails.

Arriving home to the Las Vegas Valley on Thursday night were four dogs: Kya, a Belgian Malinois; Aldo, a pit bull mix; and two Labrador retrievers named Dexter and Roux.

The canines and their handlers are part of Nevada Task Force 1, a Federal Emergency Management Agency urban search and rescue team, headquartered in North Las Vegas.

The dogs left Las Vegas last weekend to search for human remains among the destruction caused by the Camp Fire in Northern California. The blaze burned more than 13,000 homes in Butte County and killed at least 88 people. About 125 people were still missing as of Thursday night, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office website.

Nevada Task Force 1 program manager Paul Bailey said the dogs used their noses to pinpoint human muscle tissue, fatty tissue and bone fragments hidden in mobile home parks razed by the fire. They worked 12-hour shifts.

“What they’re looking for is where the burn area is so intense there are very little remains to find,” Bailey said. “Their ability to smell is about 10,000 times greater than ours.”

The team arrived in California on Sunday, and Dexter found someone during the first search. It was Dexter’s first time deployed for a human remains search.

“He alerted and found somebody in a house that was completely destroyed down to ashes,” said Dexter’s handler, Chris Burr.

No other bodies were found during the search, said John Bernstein, a dog handler from the North Las Vegas Fire Department. His dog, Kya, injured her paw even while wearing dog booties during a search. But the injury hasn’t bothered Kya, he said.

“All the structures were filled with sharp metal and wire,” Bernstein said. “She managed to catch something on her pad right above where the boot was, and it just sliced open.”

The dogs don’t know the gravity of their job — they think they were playing a game, Bernstein said.

“For them it’s a big game of hide-and-seek,” he said. “They think every time they find what they’re looking for, they’re going to get their toy.”

Others pitched in

The dog teams weren’t the only ones assisting in the search for the fire’s victims.

Four forensic anthropologists from Clark County sent to help identify human remains came back Nov. 17, according to county Coroner John Fudenberg. Fudenberg said the anthropologists, three of whom are UNLV graduate students, faced danger trying to find bodies

“You’re basically sifting through piles of burnt homes,” he said.

Fudenberg said it was gratifying to be able to help Nevada’s neighbor after other states sent resources and experts to assist his office following the Oct. 1 mass shooting on the Strip.

“For us to turn around and assist another agency that is having a very difficult time with resource capacity, it means a lot to all of our staff because we relied so much on outside help,” he said. “Until you go through an incident like that, you have no idea how difficult it is.”

Workers and equipment deployed to California by the Nevada Division of Forestry are also home, spokesman Eric Antle said.

Close to 90 firefighters, five state corrections officers and other Division of Forestry staff worked 13 shifts fighting the Camp Fire. They were back in Nevada on Nov. 20.

Crowds packed the hills near Lake Elsinore on Saturday to capture a rare selfie amidst the super bloom of poppies turning the landscape purple. The super bloom was caused by the larger rainfall this year. (Todd Prince/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Fiery accident in Las Vegas

A three-car accident on Spring Mountain Road around 6:30 pm on Monday night

Twelve years ago today, the Stardust Resort and Casino was imploded. (Mat Luschek/Review-Journal)

Lawsuits filed against security contractors at Nevada National Security Site

Two lawsuits were filed today against the current and former government security contractors for the Nevada National Security Site, one on behalf of Jennifer Glover who alleges sexual discrimination and assault and the other on behalf of Gus Redding who alleges retaliation after he gave statements supporting Glover’s claims. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

New housing option helps Las Vegas moms keep kids while kicking drugs

WestCare Nevada Women and Children’s Campus in Las Vegas has added a new transitional housing wing for women who have completed the inpatient treatment at the behavioral health nonprofit to help them as they go through outpatient treatment, shore up their finances and prepare to secure long-term housing. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto

Teenager in critical condition after being struck by an SUV in Henderson

Authorities were called about 2:45 p.m. to the scene in the 2100 block of Olympic Avenue, near Green Valley Parkway and Sunset Road. The teenager was taken to University Medical Center in critical condition. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

The Water Question Part 3: Conservation loves a crisis

Future growth in the Las Vegas Valley will rest almost entirely on the community’s ability to conserve its finite share of the Colorado River.

The Water Question Part 7: How much can we grow?

Many experts agree that Southern Nevada can continue to grow, so long as residents are willing to do what needs to be done to stretch our crucial resource as far as it will go.

The Water Question Part 6: How many people can Southern Nevada’s water sustain?

The number can swing wildly depending on a host of variables, including the community’s rates of growth, conservation efforts and the severity of drought on the Colorado River.

Mylar Balloon Demo

NV Energy presented a demonstration Wednesday to depict the damage that can be caused by the release of Mylar balloons.

Educators dressed in red have taken to the streets to demand more for their students.

Educators dressed in red have taken to the streets to demand more for their students. Educators from around the State are bringing the Red for Ed movement to the steps of the Nevada Legislature in Carson City, NV, and to the Grant Sawyer Building in Las Vegas. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

Nature Conservancy Ranch

The Nature Conservancy just bought the 900-acre 7J Ranch at the headwaters of the Amargosa River, north of Beatty. The property could become a research station, though ranching will continue.

Swift water rescue at Durango Wash in Las Vegas

On Thursday, February 14, 2019, at approximately 8:42 a.m., the Clark County Fire Department responded to a report of a swift water incident where people were trapped in the Durango wash which is located near 8771 Halcon Ave. Personnel found one person who was trapped in the flood channel. The individual was transported to the hospital in stable condition. Video by Clark County Fire & Rescue.

Flooding at E Cheyenne in N. Las Vegas Blvd.

Quick Weather Around the Strip

Rain hits Las Vegas, but that doesn't stop people from heading out to the Strip. (Mat Luschek/Review-Journal)

Matt Stutzman who was born without arms shoots arrows with his feet and hits the bullseye with remarkable accuracy. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

Secretary of Air Force Emphasizes the Importance of Nellis AFB

US Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson visited Nellis Air Force Base during Red Flag training and described how important the base is to the military.

Former Northwest Academy student speaks out

Tanner Reynolds, 13, with his mother Angela McDonald, speaks out on his experience as a former student of Northwest Academy in Amargosa Valley, which includes abuse by staff member Caleb Michael Hill. Hill, 29, was arrested Jan. 29 by the Nye County Sheriff’s Office on suspicion of child abuse.

Former Northwest Academy students speak out

Tristan Groom, 15, and his brother Jade Gaastra, 23, speak out on their experiences as former students of Northwest Academy in Amargosa Valley, which includes abuse by staff and excessive medication.

Disruption At Metro PD OIS Presser

A man claiming to be part of the press refused to leave a press conference at Metro police headquarters, Wednesday January 30, 2019. Officers were forced to physically remove the man. (Mat Luschek/Review-Journal)

Clients at Las Vegas’ Homeless Courtyard talk about their experience

Clients at Las Vegas’ Homeless Courtyard talk about their experience after the city began operating around the clock. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutesfaye

Lists of costs for procedures, drugs and devices are now posted the websites of hospitals to comply with a new federal rule designed to provide additional consumer transparency. Good luck figuring out what they mean.

People in Mesquite deal with a massive power outage

People in Mesquite respond to a major power outage in the area on Monday, Jan. 21, 2019. (Mat Luschek/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Local Videos

Butterflies At The Springs Preserve

The butterfly habitat is now open at the Springs Preserve. Learn about butterflies and take in the peaceful surroundings. (Mat Luschek / Review-Journal)

The Bellagio Conservatory's spring display has a Japanese theme

The Bellagio's conservatory is hosting around 65,000 flowers, to form a Japanese theme this spring. (Mat Luschek / Review-Journal)

Las Vegas Review-Journal man-about-town columnist John Katsilometes gets his head shaved by former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman during St. Baldrick's Foundation shave-a-thon on the Brooklyn Bridge at New York-New York in Las Vegas Friday, March 8, 2019. (K.M. Cannon/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @KMCannonPhoto

The Blue Angels take flight over Las Vegas Strip

The Blue Angels’ U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron flew their signature Delta formation over a part of the Las Vegas Strip, McCarran International Airport and east Las Vegas and were scheduled to fly over Hoover Dam. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @Vegas88s

Gross World Records

A group of about 20 children gathered around a TV at Sahara West Library on Feb. 27 for a history lesson on the most disgusting world records.

Lt. William Matchko of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police gives details about a car crashing into a Starbucks at Sahara Avenue and Paradise Road, near the Las Vegas Strip, on Friday, March 1, 2019. (Jessica Terrones/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Car crashed into PT’s Gold

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Kids from local Las Vegas elementary schools took part, Thursday, in a program at the Animal Foundation, where they read books to dogs. (Mat Luschek/Review-Journal)

Pioneer Trail highlights historic locations in West Las Vegas

The Pioneer Trail, a 16-site route of historically significant locations in Las Vegas, starts at the Springs Preserve and snakes east until it reaches above the brim of downtown. (Bizuayehu Tesfaye/Las Vegas Review-Journal) @bizutefsya

Vegas Warm Weather Hits Las Vegas Valley

Between Feb. 20-21, parts of the Las Vegas Valley were hit with 7.5" of snow. Less than a week later, it was sunny with temperatures in the 70s. (Mat Luschek/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Dr. S. Jay Hazan, a World War II veteran, talks about his arrest at the VA Hospital

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Claytee White talks about Black History Month

An interview with Claytee White, director of the Oral History Research Center at UNLV. (Benjamin Hager/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Reflecting on the Moulin Rouge and a segregated Vegas

Former employees of the Moulin Rouge, the first integrated hotel-casino in Nevada, talk about what it was like in the brief six months the casino was open. (Rachel Aston/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Las Vegas home prices

Home prices rose in every ZIP code in the Las Vegas Valley in 2018 for the second year in a row, according to SalesTraq. Prices grew fastest in older, more centrally located areas. But prices were highest in the suburbs. The top three ZIP codes for price growth were 89119 (29.8%), 89146 (25%) and 89030 (24.6%). The top three ZIP codes for median sales prices were 89138 ($464,500), 89135 ($420,500) and 89052 ($370,000).

With help from the city of Las Vegas, a Salvation Army shelter stays open during the day Thursday and Friday, offering a safe place for the homeless to find respite from freezing temperatures and snow. (Chase Stevens/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Sloppy, Slushy Road Conditions Lead to Slow Traffic

Traffic slowed to a crawl on Jones are near Russell as conditions worsened Thursday. (Mat Luschek/Review-Journal)

Winter storm blankets west side of Las Vegas Valley

On Wednesday evening through early Thursday a winter storm dumped more than 7 1/2 inches of snow
on some parts of the Las Vegas Valley. (Michael Quine/Las Vegas Review-Journal)